More children are self-harming as a result of cyber-bullying, according to experts (Picture: PA)

The number of children admitted to hospital for self-harm has risen by 30 per cent in a year – with cyber-bullying to blame, according to experts.

Cases included a boy of seven from Derbyshire treated for ‘intentional poisoning’ and a ten-year-old boy from Stockport who tried to hang himself.

More than 12,600 people aged 17 or under were taken to casualty in 2013 after intentionally hurting themselves, figures obtained under the Freedom Of Information Act show.

It represents a rise of nearly 3,000 from 2012, when the figure stood at just under 9,800.

And the true number is thought to be far higher, as 42 of the 160 NHS hospital trusts in England refused to respond to the FOI.

Rachel Welch, director of selfharm.co.uk, a support charity for young people, said cyber-bullying was ‘definitely one reason’ for the increase.

‘However, it’s also just the way the world is at the moment,’ she added. ‘It’s not an easy world for young people. They are being pushed to do well at school but at the same time they are being given the news that because of the economy there will probably be no jobs for them when they leave.

‘Kids don’t see a future that is filled with opportunities.’

The number of youngsters treated for self-harm has more than doubled over the past five years, with the largest rise seen among 12-year-old girls.

Among those aged 11 and under, boys were more likely to hurt themselves – but in the older age group, 24,545 girls were hospitalised, compared with 6,802 boys.

However, Mrs Welch said the figures might not tell the whole story.

‘In teenage years, it can be so much harder for boys to come forward and tell us how they are feeling,’ she added.

‘Whereas a girl might cut herself, a boy might punch a wall. Often this is not recognised as self-harm.’